Senator Chuck Hagel grabs some attention in Nebraska with his comparison of Iraq to Vietnam:

Hagel, a decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam conflict, says anarchy has gripped Iraq and that President Bush erred in recently announcing that more troops would be sent there.

'That isn't doing any good. It's going to have a worse effect. They're destroying the United States Army,' Hagel told the Omaha World—Herald.

A senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Nebraska Republican said four—star generals have telephoned him to complain about the Bush administration move.

He also is calling for a cease—fire from Isarel. AP reports:

A prominent Republican senator urged President George W. Bush on Monday to decry the deaths in the Middle East and work for an immediate cease—fire in fight between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas inside Lebanon.

Sen. Chuck Hagel, the No. 2 Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a potential presidential candidate in 2008, also recommended that Bush appoint a special envoy to the Middle East, possibly former secretaries of state Colin Powell or James A. Baker III.

He thus seems to be on the same page is Iran's president.

Ed Lasky   8 01 06